Eamon O Cuiv quits as deputy head of Fianna Fail party over EU referendum

Eamon O Cuiv, deputy head of Fianna Fail, has resigned from his position
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Eamon O Cuiv, deputy head of Fianna Fail, has resigned from his position in the party after not agreeing with Michael Martin, the party’s head, on the party’s stance on the upcoming EU fiscal treaty.

BreakingNews reports that in addition to stepping down as deputy head, O Cuiv has also resigned from his role as spokesperson on communications, energy and natural resources.

O Cuiv stated that Martin expressed his concern about O Cuiv’s opposing view on the EU treaty, to which O Cuiv admits "He [Martin] is the party leader and I do accept that he has a majority for his view in the parliamentary party.”

"To me, this whole issue is about the fundamental future of Ireland and I believe it's much bigger than any one individual,” said O Cuiv. “Therefore, it would be impossible for me to stay as deputy leader and not have my heart and soul in what I would consider to be an absolutely fundamental decision that we have to make."

Michael Martin agreed with O Cuiv in that if he could not support Fianna Fail’s stance on the Fiscal Compact, than O Cuiv could no longer occupy his positions in the party.

“As the party prepares for a momentous Ard Fheis this weekend, it is my hope that Éamon will continue to work for Fianna Fáil's renewal as he has done over the last twelve months,” said Michael Martin.